Monday, December 16, 2013

The Joy of Christmas Movies

“I'm a cotton-headed ninny-muggins” ~Buddy the Elf

With Christmas only 9 days away, I felt it was fitting to share my five favorite Christmas movies of all-time!#5 The Grinch (Jim Carey version)

This one seems to be a polarizing choice, as many of my friends either love it or hate it. I happen to think that Jim Carrey gives a great performance in this adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s classic tale. Plus, his one-liners are unforgettable – “5PM, Dinner with self…I can’t cancel that again”.

#4 Miracle on 34th Street

I recently watched this movie with a friend of mine for the first time in years. I had almost forgotten what a classic that it truly is! Miracle on 34th Street is timeless. It will almost make you believe in Santa again :)

#3 Santa Clause

I’ll admit, I was never a Tim Allen fan until I saw this movie. This story, about a regular guy who unwittingly becomes Kris Cringle, is a tale for all ages. It combines heartwarming and witty in ways that few Christmas films do. The sequel is every bit as funny! We’ll just pretend the third one never happened though.

#2 A Christmas Carol (George C. Scott version)

There have been countless adaptations of Charles Dickens’classic tale of the miserly and frugal Ebenezer Scrooge and the 3 overnight visitors (Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future) that brought the Christmas spirit back to his hardened heart. I could watch this movie over and over again. Who can forget the climactic scene where Mr. Scrooge awakens on Christmas morning realizing that it's truly never too late to begin anew?

#1 Elf

Unquestionably my favorite Christmas movie of all-time. And not just because I’m in love with Zooey Deschanel (Although it doesn’t hurt). This movie just makes you feel…happy. Buddy the elf’s childlike innocence makes this movie impossible to resist. “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear”.What's your favorite Christmas movie?

143 comments:

It's A Wonderful Life - although far more than a Christmas movie, but I tend to watch it round Christmas timeThe Snowman (Raymond Briggs) - is a lovely cartoon full of festive heartThe Nightmare Before Christmas - it's dark edge brings out the true spirit of Christmas like the sun behind a rain cloud - wonderful and inventive stuff.

It's a Wonderful Life (#1)Christmas Vacation (Because of my MAD decorating Christmas skills, I have been called Mrs. Griswold a few times! *wink*)The Santa Clause (all of them!!) ElfRudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

You have made good choices Keith. Not sure if you would call it a true Christmas movie but I pick Little Women. The story begins at Christmas time. I love this movie and the book is one of my very favorites.

I've been meaning to have a Christmas movie marathon here at the house! Can you believe I've never watched "Miracle on 34th Street?? I want the kids to watch it with me but they kind of get discouraged when they see it's black and white I have to buy them lots of munchies I guess!

elf is awesome...my fav of all time is nestor the long eared christmas donkey....ha...its one of the claymation type pics int eh same vein as rudolph....we have rewatched some of the santa clause movies this weekend....

Oddly, I can't think of any specific Christmas movie except "Barbie in A Christmas Carol" lol! But hey -- it was good! The kids enjoy it and there are some great lessons to learn. Blessed Christmas season, my friend :)

It's "A Christmas Story." I've been indulging in Christmas programs on the 'rerun' channel. Several made me cry, including unexpectedly poignant story in an old "JAG" about a orphan girl reuniting with her Dad who knew nothing about her. Funny and sad and happy all together.

I love christmas movies, right after thanksgiving I am watching the hallmark channel to catch my old favorites and watch for the new ones.

The ones I must see every year are White Christmas that is probably my favorite. then I love the Christmas Story-the one with the leg lamp, and the little one gets his tongue stuck on an icy pole-that is really a classic. Hallmark has some really good ones too I really enjoy the Christmas Card

MUPPETS CHRISTMAS CAROL! Top of the list for me. Oh, and It's a Wonderful Life. I like other Christmas movies, but those two are perma-classics. Oh, and The Nativity--the one that came out in the 2000's, I love that one too. And the old claymation Rudolf movie. Super awesomesauce.

I love 3 out of your list Keith and also I really enjoyed the one with Vince Vaughn? his brother is Santa Clause and Vince has to stand in his shoes to save Christmas. It was great, but I can't remember the title.

A Christmas Story, hands down. I literally had like ten quotes zap into my mind, one after the other. "Drink more Ovaltine, son of a b***h." Or that leg lamp and when his little brother is all but died up laying on the ground and yells "I can't move my arrrrrrmmmms" haha. I have to watch it every year when it comes on TV or it's just not Christmas for me . I was never really into the sappy Christmas movies so this one was my favorite. :)

A Christmas Carol is my favorite. I like the others on your list too. I like all those old Rankin/Bass specials...Rudolph, Santa Claus, Frosty, etc. And of course Charlie Brown. Jingle All The Way and Fred Claus are good for a few laughs. I like The Family Man too...although it's not really a Christmas movie per se, but it takes place at Christmastime.

I have been watching the Christmas movies lately. The Hallmark channel and Lifetime have been just about showing them none stop. You some great choices. But I have not seen The Elf. I will have to watch it now. Have a happy week!

All versions of A Christmas Carol, I try to read the book also every Christmas (I simply adore it). When I was a child every Christmas we (my mother and me) used to see Little Women on tv one moment or another (even when we didn´t pretend so because it was part of the Christmas classical programming) and it became a sort of tradition. Not sure if it is a true Christmas movie but it´s a Christmas movie to me

I like all of those on your list (especially Elf!), along with a lot of these in your comments...my all-time favorite is 'It's A Wonderful Life'. It's not just a Christmas movie, and it never gets old. :)

I'm planning to put up a Christmas movie post soon too. :) I love Santa Claus, but I haven't watched the others on our list. I should get around to them soon. For my Christmas movie... I can't choose between Home Alone and The Holiday.

My all-time favorite is 'It's a Wonderful Life'. I just love everything about this classic. My second favorite is 'National Lampoon Christmas Vacation'. Chevy Chase is just so perfect as the loveable, sentimental Dad. Every Christmas our whole family watches this movie together. We all have our favorite parts. Just thinking about it makes me laugh. xo Karen

i too loved elf! some of my other favs are the walton's "homecoming"---"the house without a Christmas tree"---these were both tv events and there is this one that was on tv years ago, i only saw it once but would love to see it again--it had ed asner as the lead and all of his family was coming for the holidays and he was dying----oh and of course "Christmas vacation"!! fun post :)

I love love love to hunker in on a cold day/night and watch old Christmas movies...I love them all but have to say my favorite is It's A Wonderful Life. Even the music of Charlie Brown Christmas...the Grinch...so much nostalgia. Hope your season is bright Keith!

I love Elf and Santa Clause! I'm a sucker for all the Lifetime and Hallmark Christmas movies this time of year. Have you ever seen The Holiday? It's one of my favorites too. And Home Alone of course :)

the snowman, it's a wonderful life and love actually are the three christmas movies i watch every year:-) and i don't think i've actually ever seen miracle on 34th street, so i'll have to check that out! x

A Christmas Story - the one scene with little Ralphie in a thousand layers of winter garb makes it a winner in my book. I haven't seen Elf, but will keep it in mind. I like your taste, so I'm sure it's a good one.

Hi Keith! I have several favorites... "It's a Wonderful Life!" :D I also love Miracle on 34th Street, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect, Eloise at Christmas Time, Trapped in Paradise, and The Christmas Do-over (along with a few others). I hope your Christmas season is filled with the happiness of Christ! :) Corine :D

Hands down, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Followed by A Christmas Story.Although George C. Scott was very good as Scrooge, I liked the Lionel Barrymore (?) movie much better. Truth be told, I preferred the Mister Magoo version more.I also preferred the cartoon Grinch to the Jim Carrey version. Although, I'll bet that has to do with my age.

I love Christmas Movies Keith, the kids here love the Grinch is their favorite! but I love Miracle on 34th Street, anyway with my Mom all the time we are looking what Christmas movies are in cable, love all:))If we dont talk Have a lovely and happy Christmas dear Keith!

Hi - new follower commenting for the first time...I like all the traditional Christmas movies as well as a new one I discovered a couple of years ago called "Stalking Santa." It is so funny - very dry humor about a "scientist" who devotes his life and career to proving the existence of Santa. I got in on DVD in the "bargain bin" at a book store, but it has become one of my favorites for the holiday season. Thanks for your blog. Looking forward to following along!

Gotta love Elf, so many good moments in that movie. Surprisingly I liked the Santa Claus as well, although I never saw the second, or third ones. My all time favourite is A Christmas Story. Reminds me of being a kid and makes me howl with laughter.